STON
Selects the secondary output buffer as the active output buffer.
Syntax
STON
ST ON
Operation
The STON command turns the stack on. When the stack is on, all data moved to an output buffer via a MV, H, or A command is placed in the secondary output buffer.
Use of Stack
The stack is used to hold all the commands necessary to feed interactive processors, such as the EDITOR and DataBasic, once they have been invoked with a command constructed in the primary output buffer.
Usually, there is one continuous string of commands in the stack. Successive commands will be concatenated unless separated by a less than character (<) or a blank.
Stacking Successive Commands
If successive commands are placed in the stack, each individual command must be terminated with a less-than character (<) that will cause a RETURN to be generated when the commands are executed.
A single command or the last command in the stack does not require the less than character (<) because a RETURN is generated by the P command.
Because text is moved into the secondary output buffer in blocks of 140 characters or less, it is necessary to separate each line of text with two less than characters (<<) that represent a stack continuation character every 140 characters or fewer.
Other Uses
The stack can be used for purposes other than storing a succession of commands. It can also be used to store anticipated responses required by an interactive process such as the SPOOLER or EDITOR.
Example
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Command |
POB Before |
POB After |
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SOB Before |
SOB After |
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